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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Missel(l, n. Also: mis(s)all, -aill, -ill, myssell. [Sc. var. of Mussel(l n.; but cf. OF. muisel, var. of musel Mussel(l, and e.m.E. mezell (once, 1523).]

1. The muzzle or bridle of a plough, = Mussel(l n. 3 a. 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 186 (8 Nov.).
Ane pleuch with … sok, culter and missaill 1573 Edinb. Test. II. 321.
Misall 1614 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 26 Dec.
The thyftous steilling … of an irn some with ane missell & draw naill 1636 Edinb. Test. LVII. 327 b.
Ane plewch with cowtter, sock, missell, drauchtnaill, with ane pair of swingiltreis 1658 Boyd Fam. P. No. 236 (27 Feb.). c1500-50 Pleugh-Song in 1662 Forbes Cantus (1666).
All that belongs to the pleugh … The missel and the pleugh-bowl

2. A gun-muzzle. = Mussel(l n. 3 b. 1566 Inv. Wardrobe 170.
In the laich munitioun hous … sex missellis of irne

3. A muffler or chin-cloth. = Mussel(l n. 4 and Muf(f)ell n.For further examples, see Cornet(t n. 1. 1548 Treas. Acc. IX. 258.
Ane elne of welwote to be hir missallis and paitlat 1552 Ib. X. 76.
Thre elnis fyne blak satin to be hir cornettis, missillis, paitclathtis [etc.] 1565 Ib. XI. 350. 1575 Edinb. Test. III. 328 b.
Ane collar and tua missellis all holland claith 1603 Philotus xxvii.
Ȝe sall weir … Ȝour ueluote hat, ȝour hude of stait, Ȝour myssell quhen ȝe gang to gait Fra sone and wind … To keip that face sa fair